Keeping High Speed Rail on track

By Anne Delaney and ABC News

The NSW Government says building a high-speed rail network in New South Wales isn't a priority but the NSW Business Chamber says it's essential and country areas will benefit. The Chamber has warned a Sydney-centric focus will close the door on the best way to deliver high speed rail for the state.

The development of a high speed rail network is not part of the State Government's 20 year plan for the NSW rail network but excluding it from the plan has come under fire from the Business Chamber's Damian Kelly.

"Integrating high speed rail into Sydney's existing rail network is the most cost effective option."

Mr Kelly says it will reduce costs and improve efficiencies across the state including through regional areas.

He says areas west of the Great Dividing Range would benefit as well as Sydney, especially due to improvements from a high speed rail network linking Newcastle, Sydney, Canberra and ultimately Melbourne and Brisbane.

Mr Kelly says an integrated approach is needed from both state and federal governments but he's concerned a lack of cooperation between the two is stifling productive negotiations and progress.

The NSW Business Chamber has made six recommendations to the state government including expanding the transport vision plan out to 2061, ensuring planning over the short term does not obstruct opportunity in the longer term, and forming a state/federal government joint committee to develop the best solutions.

The NSW Government insists if a high speed rail line is created on the east coast of Australia it has to operate on a new network set up by the Federal Government.